The free-hit for the opening round has brought many challenges as coaches looked to maximise their points through some unique selections knowing we have unlimited trades ahead of round two.

The round resumed in Geelong on Thursday night with the Cats taking a 38-point win.

Most Fantasy coaches were worried about Joel Selwood’s limited pre-season and the hamstring tweak in the NAB Challenge. As a result, fewer than 10 per cent of the competition enjoyed the midfielder’s 34 disposals, two goals and 132 points.

The most expensive player available, midfielder Steve Johnson (121) proved his worth gathering 31 disposals. DEF/MID Jimmy Bartel (99) moved forward to kick four goals, including three in the second quarter.

Hyped FWD/MID Josh Caddy (85) was solid after averaging 109 during the pre-season. He copped a boot to the head in the second quarter which saw him receive a few stitches but he came back on to score 45 points in the second half. With a breakeven of 64, his value will increase if he continues to post scores in this range. 

Rory Sloane (109) was the top scorer for the Crows thanks mostly to the midfielder’s massive 12 tackles.

During the NAB Challenge, Matthew Wright (108) put his hand up for Fantasy selection after scoring 139 and 111. More than 20,000 coaches jumped on board the FWD/MID, making him a great selection for just $368,900. With unlimited trades this week, he might be a popular inclusion ahead of round two.

The biggest Fantasy disappointment from the match was FWD/MID Patrick Dangerfield (68). He was tagged but managed to kick two goals to pad his stats on what was a very quiet night for the third most selected player in NAB AFL Fantasy Classic.

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Full lockout went into effect as the ball bounced in this match and coaches could put their feet up after a big week navigating the rolling lockout throughout the split round.

As an Essendon man, it was a great evening supporting my boys from the pub – especially as Jobe Watson (153) was my captain for this round. The midfielder was the leading ball-winner on the ground with 38 disposals. I need to publicly thank Calvin for suggesting Watson should not only be in my side for this week, but to also lock him in as captain.

Dyson Heppell (150) racked up 37 disposals and a whopping 16 marks. After losing his dual position eligibility, the midfielder is in just 3,364 teams this season.

Nine Bombers cracked the Fantasy ton. The most exciting was Paul Chapman (106). In his first game in the red and black, the former Geelong champion kicked four goals to go with his 22 disposals, rewarding those who took a punt on the FWD/MID.

Defender Aaron Mullett (97) and FWD/MID Brent Harvey (96) were the best of the Kangaroos.

The second most popular North Melbourne player, DEF/MID Luke McDonald (53) started slowly but finished with a 23-point final quarter. The most selected Roo, Daniel Currie, was an emergency in the game. The ruckman may get an opportunity if Todd Goldstein (62) struggles this week with the shoulder injury he sustained in the match.

Down in Launceston, the Hawks ran away with the game in the last quarter.

Midfielder Jordan Lewis (111) top-scored in the Saturday twilight fixture after 24 disposals, six marks, seven tackles and a goal . Forwards Luke Breust (110) and Jarryd Roughead (98) kicked five goals each while Jack Gunston (92) kicked two.

Midfielder Liam Shiels (109) is back to his form of 2011 when he averaged more than 100 Fantasy points. His pre-season form was sensational, averaging over 114 in the NAB Challenge and practice matches. He kicked two goals, collected 21 disposals and laid eight tackles. At $343,800, he might be a popular mid-priced selection in the midfield this week.

An intriguing battle between Sam Mitchell (68) and Tom Rockliff (96) saw the Lions midfielder come out on top, shutting the popular Hawk DEF/MID down and keeping him to 21 disposals. The fourth-most selected Fantasy player scored well below his usual output, no doubt upsetting many coaches. Rockliff kicked three goals.

Hawthorn's $135,500 defender Will Langford (70) spent a lot of time in the midfield attending the majority of centre bounces. He looks to be one of the promising cash cows in defence.

It was a pretty tough game to watch, but there was plenty of Fantasy value running around out there to keep it interesting.

No one was able to keep up with the Joneses as midfielders Nathan Jones (147) and Clinton Jones (141) finished with 38 and 39 disposals respectively.

The most expensive Fantasy forward, Nick Riewoldt (125), rewarded those who coughed up the $559,000 to start with him. The St Kilda captain kicked three goals.

We have been talking up former Giant Dom Tyson (116) all pre-season as one of the bargain picks of the year. The Demon delivered with a massive 32 disposals, nine marks and a goal. If he’s not in your midfield next week, you could be missing out on a big price rise early.

Around a similar price to Tyson is St Kilda’s Luke Dunstan (106). The first round draft pick averaged 90 Fantasy points at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. The draftee filled the void for the Saints who were missing star midfielders in Leigh Montagna, Lenny Hayes and Jack Steven.

Ruckman Tom Hickey (85) smashed through his breakeven of 52. I backed him in this week as a mid-priced ruck to go with Aaron Sandilands in my squad.